Search found 296 matches

by sq256
Mon Sep 03, 2018 12:38 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Australian Aviation Thread - September 2018
Replies: 630
Views: 77332

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - September 2018

Brisbane ... Samoa needs the link, profitability is probably not the most important factor. APW already has a link to BNE on VA - this adds nothing. Further, profitability most definitely is important, as PH nearly bankrupted Samoa in the 2000's. If they want a new port, I would've suggested WLG - ...

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by sq256
Mon Sep 03, 2018 12:36 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Australian Aviation Thread - September 2018
Replies: 630
Views: 77332

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - September 2018

eta unknown wrote:
Well if TG is reducing a daily 788 to 4x/week I'd say BNE-BKK is not long for this world.


You've said that before for Eva Air, Etihad, Air Canada, et al years ago and you've never been right. Whatever vendetta you may have against Brisbane you should keep it to yourself.

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by sq256
Mon Sep 03, 2018 4:55 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Northwest Airlines Terminal at JFK?
Replies: 11
Views: 2502

Re: Northwest Airlines Terminal at JFK?

Terminal 2. They later moved in T9 after Braniff went into liquidation in the 1980s, and eventually moved back to T4 / T2 as part of the DL merger. Edit: NW moved back to T4/IAB in the mid 90s: http://www.departedflights.com/JFK95.html NW was also in the old T9 in 1991, shortly after UA moved out to...

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by sq256
Sun Sep 02, 2018 1:10 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Australian Aviation Thread - September 2018
Replies: 630
Views: 77332

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - September 2018

Hey guys, Firstly Happy Fathers Day to those who are fathers, caregivers and support men.... Secondly the austbt article about Singapore possibly buying out HNA's stake (and/or Etihad's stake) in Virgin Australia makes complete sense to me. I hope that it happens and that Singapore gives Virgin Aus...

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by sq256
Sat Sep 01, 2018 6:09 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2018
Replies: 660
Views: 78674

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2018

After the small shareholders are excluded there are only 5 shareholders (SQ ~20%, EY ~20%, HNA ~21%, Nanshan ~20%, Virgin ~11%). EY and Virgin have no interest in increasing their holding because EY can't afford it and Virgin are happy with a minor holding and board representation. This means that ...

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by sq256
Wed Aug 29, 2018 1:59 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2018
Replies: 660
Views: 78674

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2018

- Wouldn't the 77W's size be less of an issue if all operations were hubbed through one airport? - Wouldn't hubbing through one airport allow VA to operate higher frequencies than otherwise? All 77W operations are hubbed through one airport, it’s just that hub is in the US rather than being in Aust...

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by sq256
Wed Aug 29, 2018 1:19 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2018
Replies: 660
Views: 78674

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2018

In my opinion VA's China venture is a suicide mission and should never have started. The right decision back then should be sacking JB right then and there. It wasn't going to happen when the other shareholders (EY, SQ and Virgin Group) didn't agree with Luxon's "alleged" demands for VA t...

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by sq256
Wed Aug 29, 2018 12:52 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Virgin Australia reports underlying $109m profit, converts 10 737MAX8 to 10 737MAX10
Replies: 24
Views: 5162

Re: Virgin Australia reports $109m profit, orders MAX10

I would say this title is a bit misleading as the ultimate result they reported after everything is a loss of $653m.... Yes - they made a profit "operationally", but their definition of "operation" excludes any restructuring costs. If you include that, they're already making a l...

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by sq256
Wed Aug 29, 2018 12:18 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2018
Replies: 660
Views: 78674

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2018

In my opinion VA's China venture is a suicide mission and should never have started. The right decision back then should be sacking JB right then and there. It wasn't going to happen when the other shareholders (EY, SQ and Virgin Group) didn't agree with Luxon's "alleged" demands for VA t...

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by sq256
Wed Aug 29, 2018 6:03 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2018
Replies: 660
Views: 78674

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2018

VS's HKG flight also has a interline arrangement with VA's ex-SYD/MEL-HKG flights. Although slots at HKG are difficult to get atm, I would think both VS and VA would ideally want the slots at HKG and/or LHR traded/retimed to ensure a quicker connection westbound (6 hour transit at HKG ex-SYD/MEL atm).

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by sq256
Wed Aug 29, 2018 1:11 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2018
Replies: 660
Views: 78674

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2018

I wonder what would the future hold for VA. The usual two suspects that have been mentioned in the past in media (SQ and DL) have not expressed interest in taking over for the short (to medium) term, whilst 2 of their existing shareholders (HNA and EY) are both in massive debt. One has to wonder if ...

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by sq256
Sun Aug 19, 2018 2:35 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2018
Replies: 660
Views: 78674

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2018

May have been CX’s old A340s on the old MEL-ADL-HKG-MEL triangular route? (ADL now has its own standalone CX flights to HKG, and the A340s have long gone).

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by sq256
Sat Aug 18, 2018 9:12 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2018
Replies: 660
Views: 78674

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2018

Just because the parent of airlines are owned by the larger carriers in the big 3 doesn't necessarily mean they'll immediately join the alliance of their parent. EI (BA), VS (DL), etc. Also, EY may possibly be facing a veto from UA on the back of the CEOs of the US3 hostilities towards the ME3. The...

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by sq256
Sat Aug 18, 2018 8:49 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2018
Replies: 660
Views: 78674

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2018

https://centreforaviation.com/analysis/ ... wth-432701
-->

Although not guaranteed, I do have to wonder if a CEB-BNE link may work from a loads and/or yield perspective, even if it only starts at 2 or 3 weekly.

https://centreforaviation.com/analysis/ ... wth-432701

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by sq256
Sat Aug 18, 2018 8:41 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2018
Replies: 660
Views: 78674

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2018

I do think as more 789 are delivered we’ll more fragmentation of QF markets, as the 744 capacity is replaced, and growth continues in markets. Fragmentation is all well and good but where do the aircraft come from? The current order book has 10x 789s to replace 10x 744s with little slack left elsew...

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by sq256
Sat Aug 18, 2018 8:35 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2018
Replies: 660
Views: 78674

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2018

I still don't understand the VA in SkyTeam argument. Two of their largest shareholders SQ and EY, one is in *A and the other is getting ever closer to *A. DL is not even on the board. I know your argument about UA and NZ's veto power and I agree nothing can happen in the short term but perhaps we w...

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by sq256
Thu Aug 16, 2018 4:57 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2018
Replies: 660
Views: 78674

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2018

I don't really think the QF/NZ relationship can go any further than what it is now. How many of you really think QF/NZ partnership makes any sense? Maybe after JB is gone, all parties could go back to more rational thinking. NZ and QF can't go any further because of massive competition issues. Any ...

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by sq256
Thu Aug 16, 2018 4:38 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2018
Replies: 660
Views: 78674

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2018

I don't really think the QF/NZ relationship can go any further than what it is now. How many of you really think QF/NZ partnership makes any sense? Maybe after JB is gone, all parties could go back to more rational thinking. I see it as a 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend' situation. Would serve ...

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by sq256
Thu Aug 16, 2018 12:52 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2018
Replies: 660
Views: 78674

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2018

There's also the infamous QF/CX "relationship" where the only co-operation is lounge accesss & interline arrangements. VA passengers being removed from the *A lounge at LAX was a NZ decision (as NZ operates the *A lounge at LAX), and was the beginning of the end of the NZ/VA JV. Previo...

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by sq256
Thu Aug 02, 2018 3:48 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: JAL plans high-density Dreamliners for new long-haul LCC
Replies: 50
Views: 2406

Re: Japan Airlines to start new Long Haul Low Cost airline

Considering how much JAL lags behind ANA now in terms of medium and long haul, an LCC may allow them to break thru, and there are certainly a lot of opportunities. First, destinations such as HNL and BNE can be transferred to the LCC. JAL doesn't fly to BNE. It's already covered by QF and JL codesh...

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by sq256
Sat Jul 28, 2018 9:53 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Why arent Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia popular with carriers?
Replies: 75
Views: 12128

Re: Why arent Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia popular with carriers?

Low yielding markets that's heavily VFR based with some tourism hotspots (e.g Bali).

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by sq256
Sat Jul 28, 2018 9:48 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Australian Aviation Thread - July 2018
Replies: 641
Views: 72071

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - July 2018

Just an idle thought. With VA probably wanting to get some sort of upper hand considering they’re losing their partnership with NZ. What are the chances of SYD and MEL’s EY lounges becoming co branded with VA from October? The lounges could then be used for all EY and VA flights, and considering ho...

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by sq256
Sat Jul 28, 2018 2:00 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: New Zealand Aviation Thread - July 2018
Replies: 437
Views: 37194

Re: New Zealand Aviation Thread - July 2018

So what's the solution? Domestic only or domestic plus AKL, WLG, CHC or narrow body only with flights to select leisure destinations? There is a lot of death riding of VA in this thread. Maybe NZ shouldn't invest in Australian airlines. Not a great track record. Firstly VA has survived the NZ depar...

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by sq256
Wed Jul 25, 2018 1:27 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: New Zealand Aviation Thread - July 2018
Replies: 437
Views: 37194

Re: New Zealand Aviation Thread - July 2018

It's about knowing your core business and doing that well, some professor will at some point write a review on changing your business and this will be a case study of how to screw it up. VA's golden area (if we can call it that) was in the early 2000's as a LCC under Virgin Blue. The multiple inves...

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by sq256
Tue Jul 24, 2018 10:49 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: New Zealand Aviation Thread - July 2018
Replies: 437
Views: 37194

Re: New Zealand Aviation Thread - July 2018

An anecdotal observation though it is, It would appear VA is struggling at AKL. Even in these school holidays their load factors have been chronically low even to staple markets like SYD, BNE, MEL (based on the airport figures, even with figures below half what NZ, QF, JQ, CI have,at the same time ...

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by sq256
Thu Jul 19, 2018 1:06 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Australian Aviation Thread - July 2018
Replies: 641
Views: 72071

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - July 2018

On certain Chinese forum, I read that a 737 Max 8 flight from Southern China to Australia with flight time longer than 7 hours will be launched. (Not SZX-DRW which only have ~5 hours flight time). If it is true then which route would it be? CNS? That's probably the the most northern point city that...

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by sq256
Mon Jul 09, 2018 12:34 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Australian Aviation Thread - July 2018
Replies: 641
Views: 72071

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - July 2018

VA starting BNE replacing HX's existing HKG-OOL-CNS-HKG slots (minus the CNS stop)?

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by sq256
Mon Jul 09, 2018 2:41 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Virgin Atlantic network going downhill?
Replies: 112
Views: 23746

Re: Virgin Atlantic network going downhill?

Putting all (most) their eggs into the North Atlantic (US) basket. Hopefully that works out in the long run. I see them cutting further into routes going East, with the strength of CX and BA on the LHR HKG route it will be a matter of time before HKG gets the axe. VS just recently signed a interlin...

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by sq256
Sat Jul 07, 2018 12:12 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Australian Aviation Thread - July 2018
Replies: 641
Views: 72071

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - July 2018

"Only one thing is certain about how Virgin Australia will look in a year - it will be different. Chief executive John Borghetti probably won’t be there. Although he has agreed to remain until 2020, his relationship with some members of the company’s dysfunctional board is fraught and his depa...

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by sq256
Wed Jul 04, 2018 8:03 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Etihad CEO lays out restructuring plans
Replies: 146
Views: 32696

Re: Etihad CEO lays out restructuring plans

Even more interesting (IMO)... EY is willing to give up its "alliance" if *A will allow EY to join *A. https://thepointsguy.com/news/etihad-wants-to-codeshare-with-star-alliance-restructures-after-massive-losses/?navtid=More-1 EY is likely to be facing a veto from UA though (and possibly ...

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by sq256
Tue Jul 03, 2018 8:16 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Australian Aviation Thread - July 2018
Replies: 641
Views: 72071

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - July 2018

TT could probably pick up almost all of VA's current NZ schedule excluding BNE/SYD/MEL-AKL and SYD-WLG sometime after October 2018. I'd also suggest the midday AKL services on VA (from all 3 East Coast ports) could probably be TT'ed off, leaving AKL as the only destination served by VA and TT. That ...

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by sq256
Mon Jul 02, 2018 3:23 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Australian Aviation Thread - July 2018
Replies: 641
Views: 72071

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - July 2018

As I said, the competitive environment is very different and I think VA needs someone who is used to a strong competitor. Borghetti has succeeded in endowing VA with a great product but hasn't translated it into a great business. VA is up against a very strong competitor with much deeper pockets. W...

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by sq256
Sun Jul 01, 2018 12:40 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Australian Aviation Thread - July 2018
Replies: 641
Views: 72071

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - July 2018

And VA joining any alliance isn't likely in 2018, although I had predicted SkyTeam at the start of the year. Alliances in general may have slowed down at the "Full Member" level with no new member for the last 3 years, however Oneworld and Star Alliance have implemented "connect"...

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by sq256
Fri Jun 22, 2018 11:46 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Australian Aviation Thread - June 2018
Replies: 482
Views: 53638

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - June 2018

There's obviously more to this story than what's being leaked. The article suggested there was confusion as to how the 2 Chinese shareholders might vote, so maybe bringing in the activist is more a case of strength in numbers (SQ/EY/newbie) even though the shareholding percentage remains the same. ...

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by sq256
Thu Jun 21, 2018 11:37 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Why did DL/UA cut NRT-JFK-NRT?
Replies: 115
Views: 18979

Re: Why did DL/UA cut NRT-JFK-NRT?

Actually, in the early- mid 1990s, United has flights from Newark to both Tokyo and London Heathrow. Those were gone by the late 1990s. United also flew from JFK to Narita, as part of its old jfk hub, until 2006. In 2006 those JFK-NRT flights went away and were transferred to Washington Dulles. New...

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by sq256
Sun Jun 17, 2018 2:39 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Borghetti’s Virgin Australia
Replies: 59
Views: 8733

Re: Borghetti’s Virgin Australia

Internationally the ever changing lounge network and partners is confusing, though joining one of the alliances is difficult given ownership. There's really only one alliance option (out of the three majors) that is available to VA despite their own ownership issues. Even then the two remaining Vir...

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by sq256
Sat Jun 16, 2018 3:57 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Borghetti’s Virgin Australia
Replies: 59
Views: 8733

Re: Borghetti’s Virgin Australia

The article suggest with HNA and Nanshan group with 40% stake, a greater emphasis on China perhaps? Appreciate much comment. I thing the HNA shareholding is also problematic as SQ surely would like to be carrying at least some of this China traffic. If VA needed more money to continue flying where ...

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by sq256
Fri Jun 15, 2018 10:18 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: New Zealand Aviation Thread - June 2018
Replies: 666
Views: 49987

Re: New Zealand Aviation Thread - June 2018

NZ321 asks which First World sectors Air NZ could fly. Well, I think that Virgin Australia’s ownership is completely dysfunctional and that the carrier is certain to fail. And I still think the pre-9/11 Pacific Star / Australian Star model is the best one for Air NZ. We all remember Branson trying ...

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by sq256
Wed Jun 13, 2018 11:27 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Australian Aviation Thread - June 2018
Replies: 482
Views: 53638

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - June 2018

Perhaps the new CEO will come to realise that the current VA international network is all for looks and glamour, and will cut back and use the global partners , concentrate on Aus domestic and Trans Tasman routes which is about all they really need. They will never be a big player in Asia or the Nt...

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by sq256
Wed Jun 13, 2018 12:02 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Borghetti’s Virgin Australia
Replies: 59
Views: 8733

Re: Borghetti’s Virgin Australia

It will be mixed reviews with a lot of criticism. VA had a lot of potential but had greatly underperformed during JB's tenure with a number of poor decisions or executions that have been botched. To be fair to JB to some extent, he did inherit a mixed fleet that was acquired under his predecessor Br...

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by sq256
Tue Jun 12, 2018 12:18 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Australian Aviation Thread - June 2018
Replies: 482
Views: 53638

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - June 2018

Well it opens the door for SQ (YET again) to launch a takeover bid, although that's looking very less likely day by day. The other option, Delta purchasing the stakes from the financially crippled Etihad or debt ridden HNA groups within the next 6-12 months, and launching a takeover bid from there p...

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by sq256
Thu Jun 07, 2018 12:28 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Virgin Australia and the A350?
Replies: 25
Views: 8134

Re: Virgin Australia and the A350?

^^ Don't think HNA (or Nanshan) have the money atm.

Edit: IMHO, the thread title should be labelled as "Rumour" until either confirmed or denied/scuttled.

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by sq256
Thu Jun 07, 2018 6:25 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: New Zealand Aviation Thread - June 2018
Replies: 666
Views: 49987

Re: New Zealand Aviation Thread - June 2018

Issue being VA has now tied it A332s up with bargin passengers to HKG, trying to make some quick cash against the Asian airlines. VA wouldn't be flying to HKG if HX's parent hadn't bought their 20% stake in the carrier in the first place. Bilaterals are full on the HK end that's why VA is on the ro...

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by sq256
Thu Jun 07, 2018 5:17 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: New Zealand Aviation Thread - June 2018
Replies: 666
Views: 49987

Re: New Zealand Aviation Thread - June 2018

BNE/SYD/MEL-AKL and SYD/BNE-WLG would be my suggestion to keep whatever Biz traffic they have AND to meet codeshare/JV obligations for HU/HX/DL for VA mainline Trans-Tasman service, IMHO. Not sure if CHC is part of any of the agreements with the 3 JV partners. Everything else (which is likely low yi...

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by sq256
Thu Jun 07, 2018 12:35 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: New Zealand Aviation Thread - June 2018
Replies: 666
Views: 49987

Re: New Zealand Aviation Thread - June 2018

IIRC the IAH-AKL route was scrapped shortly after the mostly ex-CO-management (at the time) took the controls of the then freshly merged UA.

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by sq256
Mon Jun 04, 2018 10:58 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Australian Aviation Thread - June 2018
Replies: 482
Views: 53638

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - June 2018

Maybe the spokesperson should ask the public to blame John Borghetti. It didn't have to come to this if VA could work things out with NZ. All the public cares about is the cost and that they get from A to B, most of the public would not be able to name the CEO. The fact remains that this deal could...

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by sq256
Sun Jun 03, 2018 8:42 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Fiji Airways named as Oneworld connect partner
Replies: 19
Views: 3056

Re: Fiji Airways named as Oneworld connect partner

I'm assuming the "connect" members would still be able to largely keep most (if not all) their partnerships outside of their respective alliances? EI and AS are strong Oneworld connect candidates. 9W, VS and VA are candidates for the Skyteam connection equivalent if SkyTeam decides to esta...

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by sq256
Sun Jun 03, 2018 7:46 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Fiji Airways named as Oneworld connect partner
Replies: 19
Views: 3056

Re: Fiji Airways named as Oneworld connect partner

Basically the OW equivilent of *A connecting oartners. I wonder If ST is next to come up with a equivilent scheme? VS/VA would be good candidiates I don’t think that status still exists in Star Alliance. They used to have regional members, but they have become full members. Star Alliance connecting...

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by sq256
Sat Jun 02, 2018 9:36 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Australian Aviation Thread - June 2018
Replies: 482
Views: 53638

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - June 2018

Hong Kong Airlines is pulling out of Australia in October as they cancel their HKG-OOL-CNS-HKG flight. Source: https://twitter.com/Airlineroute/status/1002594133872001024 A shame that this couldn't work out for them, though CX must be happy they have CNS to themselves again! I wonder if this means ...

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by sq256
Sat Jun 02, 2018 3:22 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: United seeks to return to JFK
Replies: 223
Views: 36973

Re: United seeks to return to JFK

Was JFK ever a focus city for United? At most it was a "International Gateway" with flights to NRT, LHR & various South American cities primarily focused on O&D in addition to the usual SFO/LAX & IAD. (Edit: At one point UA operated the short lived JFK-HKG non-stop). The gatew...

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